Page 14 of Concrete Evidence
Before she reached her destination, she’d stop at an ATM and withdraw cash, and maybe the property she chose to stay wouldn’t ask for ID. Avery audibly blew out her idiocy. Any reputable hotel would want ID, and they’d also request her license plate number. A person could track her as easily as picking up their phone. How ironic she’d armed herself with Jesus, a Sig, and no common sense.
She had over two hours of miles between the ranch and Houston to figure out something. The answers to why she’d found Granddadwith a gun in his hand leaning over a dead man might come in a few hours, a few days, or longer. Patience... not her best virtue. Granddad had modeled how God took every problem and molded it into something beautiful. Nothing in what she’d experienced resembled a piece of art.
A vehicle’s headlights sped closer and rode her bumper. Her breath slammed against her chest.
“No way,” she whispered and turned off the highway. Last night’s threatening phone call lingered in her mind like the smell of sour milk.
The car raced on ahead. False alarm. She’d overreacted like a panic-stricken person, a coward who jumped at the crack of trouble. She pulled back onto the highway.
At 5:32a.m., Granddad’s ringtone sounded on her phone. She responded through her car’s Bluetooth. “I knew Mia would call you. Sorry she got you out of bed.”
“Sweet girl, do you think I could sleep with what has happened?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Tenacity is in our blood. I understand your need to get away, pray, and think about why I’ve been vague about what you saw Monday. I wish you’d let me arrange a hiding place so I don’t have to worry about you. I have a reservation at the hunting lodge in Canada under an alias.”
“Thanks. Really. But I have to work through this myself.”
“As much as I want to ensure your safety, you’re probably right. Please, be careful. We can’t risk anyone linking the crime to you.”
More than one person hurt or killed? “You’ve groomed me to overcome life challenges, and now I must make my own decisions.”
“I get it. A part of me is proud of your bravery while another part wants to shackle you to a ten-thousand-pound anchor. Here are the precautions for both of us—I’m trashing my phone this morning. That way no one can trace me through my calls or contacts. I’masking you to do the same. I insist on it. Pull out the SIM card and dispose of it in a different place than your phone. Pick up a prepaid burner and pay cash. All you need the phone for is to make calls and texts. Don’t install any apps and keep it turned off when not in use. Another thing, I know all your files are in the cloud, but copy everything onto a flash drive and discard your laptop. Buy another one but don’t activate your cloud account. Make sure to keep your virtual private network enabled to minimize risks when connected to the Internet. I suggest not contacting anyone on your current or new devices, and that means Mia or Leanne. Their phones or laptops might lead the wrong people to you.”
She and Leanne had grown up together—like sisters. “For their protection or mine?”
“Both.”
“Is contacting Craig okay?”
“By email only once you’ve installed the VPN on the new laptop. He’ll have questions about the ranch or the business. Caution is the word. I don’t want you the target of a precarious situation.” He hesitated. “Avery, from this moment on, we won’t be talking until I’m assured you can return home safely. Not a few days but possibly weeks.”
“Why? I’m afraid for you in so many ways.”
“The same reason I do everything—to keep you from danger in every sense of the word and definitely away from gunfire. I made a stupid mistake, and it’s caught up with me. Not sure how this will play out. Good men whom I called friends are dead. Simple as that.”
She gasped. “You aren’t making any sense.”
“Doesn’t matter. The man’s name who was killed on our ranch will be announced to the media today. Rely on the values I’ve instilled in you. It’s a situation of ‘do as I say, not as I do.’”
Avery’s hands trembled on the steering wheel. “You said two friends are dead. Are others? How are you and I in danger?”
“I refuse to say anything more.”
“Is Mom or Dad involved?”
“Doubtful but not impossible. While I used to pray they’d change in my lifetime, now I hope they see life is about how we care for others.”
How could he live with murder and pray for Mom and Dad? “Who else knows what’s going on? Craig?”
“Only the people who have an interest in my circle. You don’t know them for obvious reasons. Best Craig remains on the outside. He’s a good man and ignorance will serve him well. I’ve been helping him look into vet school. Wants to specialize in equine medicine. He deserves to be free of this mess. Be honest with me, do you need money?”
“Not at all.”
“You’re sure? Because after we hang up, I can’t personally help you. You’ll need to go through my attorney.”
Bewildered with the murky fog of his words, she struggled not to blurt out unwarranted accusations. “Are you disappearing?”
